The station was built in 1997 to serve as both a new bus station and the northern terminus of the new north-south segment of the Jacksonville Skyway, allowing access to the state college. Construction on the Skyway extension began in 1993, and coincided with the system's switch from Matra to Bombardier Transportation technology. The station became operational on December 15, 1997.[1]

As Jacksonville's major bus transfer point, the station features eighteen bays for city buses.[2] Bus transfers are made on the ground level, with the Skyway element on the elevated platform.[1] Highly regarded among intermodal stations in transit circles, Rosa Parks Transit Station has won awards for its architectural design.[2]